actions speak louder than words...

If you are like me, you've heard this "saying" about a gazillion times in your life. Parents love to say this... and, as such, I heard it plenty growing up.

But, what about when your kids say it to YOU? Even without using those exact words?

Today as I snuggled with my little sweet heart, Ariana, and told her how much I loved her, I tried to get an "I love you" out of her, as well. I said, "Can you say- "I luv you? Go ahead, say I. love. you." And she looked at me with her big beautiful eyes and pursed her little lips together and instead of saying, 'I luv you" said, 'mmmmmmm whhaaa' (more or less) and gave me a big huge kiss and a smile.

My heart melted. And my mind remembered how much louder actions can speak than words alone.

A few days ago, out of the blue, Grace said to me: "Mom! I've got a GREAT question. This is really interesting!..."

I eagerly waited, my ears perking up in anticipation of this exciting question...

"How come you never laugh? It's really weird, Mom. You just never laugh. Why is that?" she pondered with as much enthusiasm as if, say, she was wondering out loud about one of the 7 wonders of the world.

Wow. So that was the big question.

My ears no longer perked, and my own enthusiasm quite deflated I retorted with furrowed brow, "what do you mean? I laugh all the time! I am a very funny person!!" grrrrrrrrrrr

We proceeded to discuss her notion that I never laugh- and I tried to defend myself. And, of course, I asked her if she thought Daddy ever laughed. When she said, "No!- he never laughs either!" I felt strangely redeemed (i.e. at least it's not all me)

Now, lest you start thinking we are a bunch of stern, mad parents and spouses let me beg you to believe me when I say we are NOT unhappy! And, despite when my daughters claim to the contrary... we DO laugh. I think we laugh a lot! Perhaps my kids have a bit of an edge over me- but, then again, they are 2, 4 and 6 and find goofy things, bodily functions and potty words hilarious- whereas I do not. So, I'll give that much to my daughter.

And though an extra loud stinky "toot" may never send me over the edge roaring in laughter (it may send me over the edge in disgust) - the truth is, I might do better to find a little more humor in everyday things. In goofy things. In things that my kids find funny.

And even if I don't find the humor, I may do well to reach inside and turn off my busy, agenda ridden mind and just smile... SMILE! It's so simple. So easy. And it speaks so much louder than words.

I have many times in recent years felt convicted over not showing my kids enough joy. I let the busy day get in the way. I forget to stop. slow down. take a moment and give them my full attention and actually listen (with my ears and my eyes) to what they are telling me.

And more often than not, I forget to laugh. OUT LOUD! I do find things funny and I do find great joy in everyday happenings, but so often I am in such a hurry to move on to the next thing on my list.

I don't want to be like that. I want to stop. Look. LISTEN...

SMILE!!!

LAUGH!!!!

That is what my kids need. That is what I need.

No words. Just actions. Small, simple, easy actions that speak VOLUMES of I love you!!